I Left the Key under the Rock
Many entries ago, I talked about the street boys who used to come to the coffee shop. In the entries I talked about T who came in to show me his driver's permit and was so proud of his accomplishment. I wished I'd continued the story of T - or Tyler - and kept you up to date since then.
Tyler, you may remember, was a child who has grown into a young man in the worst of circumstances. His mother is a meth addict, and Tyler lives there. Yet Tyler was slated to graduate from Reynolds High School this summer despite the life he has lived.
I was happy to have Tyler back at the cafe more often these past few months. He would come to the cafe to escape whatever druggies his mother had in the house when he arrived home. He came to the cafe where I allowed him to study and take his food handler's test in order to find work. He came to the cafe to fill out online applications in hopes of getting a job. Tyler couldn't get a job that required a car. He got his permit, but he never had anyone to teach him how to drive. He applied for jobs within walking or Tri-Met distances. Tyler came to the cafe in the evenings to help with anything there that might earn him a few dollars. Those that saw Tyler working were amazed how hard he tried.
I know Tyler had more rough times at home. I also know that he learned to keep that to himself. He was supposed to write a school paper about difficulties he had overcome. Tyler knew not to mention his life at home - in fear that he would be taken out of his home and put in foster care once more. His goal was only to graduate.
Tyler's mother was continually in trouble at the apartment complex for her behavior. As of this week, Tyler and his mother are being kicked out of the apartments. I got a text from Tyler today telling me where he is leaving me my key to the cafe and goodbye....
On further conversation I learned that Tyler is going to go live with his aunt in Hillsboro. I hope and pray his aunt is nothing like his mother. The good news is Tyler is not going with his mother. The bad news is once again Tyler has been uprooted and moves on from the one thing that has been consistent - his school and his friends. It's Tyler's senior year and he has less than 6 months left to graduation. Once again Tyler will have himself to count on.
If only things were different, and if only my cafe were doing well, if only my housing situation were still secure... I would offer Tyler a home in a heartbeat. But I'm another ..."if only" for Tyler.
As I was writing this, I remembered that I told Tyler to keep in touch and check in from time to time. I realized there was something I didn't say, so I sent a text...
"I better get notice of your graduation too!"
His response: "You will. Don't worry! Lol."
Whew.
Tyler, you may remember, was a child who has grown into a young man in the worst of circumstances. His mother is a meth addict, and Tyler lives there. Yet Tyler was slated to graduate from Reynolds High School this summer despite the life he has lived.
I was happy to have Tyler back at the cafe more often these past few months. He would come to the cafe to escape whatever druggies his mother had in the house when he arrived home. He came to the cafe where I allowed him to study and take his food handler's test in order to find work. He came to the cafe to fill out online applications in hopes of getting a job. Tyler couldn't get a job that required a car. He got his permit, but he never had anyone to teach him how to drive. He applied for jobs within walking or Tri-Met distances. Tyler came to the cafe in the evenings to help with anything there that might earn him a few dollars. Those that saw Tyler working were amazed how hard he tried.
I know Tyler had more rough times at home. I also know that he learned to keep that to himself. He was supposed to write a school paper about difficulties he had overcome. Tyler knew not to mention his life at home - in fear that he would be taken out of his home and put in foster care once more. His goal was only to graduate.
Tyler's mother was continually in trouble at the apartment complex for her behavior. As of this week, Tyler and his mother are being kicked out of the apartments. I got a text from Tyler today telling me where he is leaving me my key to the cafe and goodbye....
On further conversation I learned that Tyler is going to go live with his aunt in Hillsboro. I hope and pray his aunt is nothing like his mother. The good news is Tyler is not going with his mother. The bad news is once again Tyler has been uprooted and moves on from the one thing that has been consistent - his school and his friends. It's Tyler's senior year and he has less than 6 months left to graduation. Once again Tyler will have himself to count on.
If only things were different, and if only my cafe were doing well, if only my housing situation were still secure... I would offer Tyler a home in a heartbeat. But I'm another ..."if only" for Tyler.
As I was writing this, I remembered that I told Tyler to keep in touch and check in from time to time. I realized there was something I didn't say, so I sent a text...
"I better get notice of your graduation too!"
His response: "You will. Don't worry! Lol."
Whew.
posted by Dina DiNucci at
6:20 PM
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